It was completely dark outside the gymnasium, but the venue was brightly lit. There was still one final practice match today, between Ikegawa High School and Nekoma High School.
In the latter half of the previous set, they were already able to keep up with the rhythm of my quick attacks. If it hadn't been for Kuroba-senpai, my attacks definitely would have been blocked. Date Tech was like that before, Aoba Johsai too, and Nekoma's Inuoka as well. Against strong opponents, the Monster Quick Attack really can't keep working forever.
"Nice receive, Yaku-senpai!"
At the familiar voice, Hinata turned and saw Nekoma's Inuoka, whom he had just been talking about. He was not playing on the court at the moment.
"Huh? Inuoka isn't playing?"
When Karasuno had faced Nekoma before, Inuoka had performed brilliantly and had been able to block Hinata's quick attacks in the latter half of the match. Yet he was not on the court now, which made Hinata very curious.
Then Hinata spotted the person who had taken Inuoka's place.
A gray-haired boy who could rival Hayato leaped into the air, whipping his arm down like a lash and scoring with a spike.
"He's amazing. Who is he?"
"Haiba Lev. He's over 194 centimeters tall. Well, I don't know much else about him. What do you think? He looks impressive, right?"
Hayato's voice came from above Hinata's head. At some point, he had walked over and draped an arm across Hinata's head as he explained. Of course, Hayato had specifically asked Nekoma about the name during the break. Nekoma understood Hayato's curiosity; with that height, it was only natural for people to be curious.
"Huh, he's so tall! He's even taller than you, Kuroba-senpai. Damn it, I'm so jealous. I wish he'd give me some of his height."
Hinata, who could get along with anyone, did not resist Hayato's gesture. He simply maintained that position and watched Haiba Lev play.
Today's practice ended amid the host team Nekoma captain Kuroo's loud call of, "Good work, everyone!"
After dinner, Hinata joined Nekoma's group to chat with Inuoka and Nekoma's setter Kozume Kenma, his good friend. During the conversation, he also learned about Haiba's background. Kenma first praised Haiba's strengths, then pointed out his weaknesses: his setting and serving were terrible, even worse than Hinata's. Hinata asked indignantly whether he was the standard for what counted as terrible.
"Because your technique is terrible," Kenma said without any ill intent, sinking Hinata once again.
"Ah, but your rookie, that Wing Spiker named Kuroba, is a real headache. I can't handle him."
"Hehe, Kuroba-senpai is amazing, right? Especially his serves. I couldn't even receive them during team practice before. They hurt super bad when they hit your arms."
Hearing Kenma praise Hayato, Hinata was especially proud instead. After spending this time together, Hinata had completely become Hayato's biggest fan. He was tall, skilled, kind, and most importantly, he often taught Hinata all sorts of techniques. Who wouldn't like such a great senior?
"Come to think of it, one of our teams has a Haiba and the other has a Kuroba. What a coincidence."
Hearing them mention Hayato, Inuoka suddenly thought of the connection between their names and said it aloud.
"Coach Ukai said something about names too. Maybe Kuroba-senpai joining Karasuno really was fate. Crows have black feathers, after all, so he fits our team perfectly."
As the three chatted, Yaku-senpai, who had just walked in, saw the scene before him. Touched, he wiped at the corner of his eye and said with great emotion,
"Kenma, who barely talks and is scared of strangers, is actually chatting with someone."
At the restroom entrance, Hinata once again triggered a restroom encounter and ran into Haiba Lev. After learning that Haiba was mixed-race, Hinata nervously wondered how to greet someone in Russian.
"Karasuno's number 10."
"Japanese?"
"Ah, sorry, I can't speak Russian. I grew up here."
"I see. Ah, Kuroba-senpai said you're 194 centimeters tall. You're so tall! Oh, right, I'm Hinata Shoyo, a first-year."
"I'm Haiba Lev, also a first-year. That Kuroba-senpai you mentioned, is he number 13, the one about as tall as me?"
"Oh! You know Kuroba-senpai too?"
"Of course. He scored a lot in the sets he played today. No wonder he's an ace."
Hearing the word "ace," Hinata tilted his head at Haiba.
"Kuroba-senpai isn't the ace yet. He's a second-year who recently transferred to Karasuno. He hasn't been in the Volleyball Club for long."
"What? Someone that amazing isn't the ace? Then who's your ace?"
"Number 3, third-year Azumane Asahi-senpai."
"Ah, that guy with the beard who looks really scary. Him, huh. Hmm..."
Haiba folded his arms, as though he were thinking about how to describe the impression Asahi had left on him.
"That senior isn't bad technically, but how should I put it? Compared to Kuroba-senpai, he lacks presence. That absolute confidence an ace should have, that obsession with the ball, isn't very strong."
In fact, Haiba was completely right. Originally, during this training camp, Asahi would have established his confidence and presence as an ace. But Hayato's arrival had directly interrupted his growth. Whether that would be a blessing or a curse for Karasuno was still impossible to judge.
"Asahi-senpai is really strong too, but what you said isn't wrong..."
Hinata wanted to argue, but in the end, he agreed with Haiba in his heart.
"Still, now that I'm seeing you up close, Hinata, you seem even shorter."
Looking down at Hinata, Haiba voiced his honest impression, and Hinata immediately bristled.
"What did you say, bastard?"
"Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean anything by it. But you can jump this high with just one leap, right? I saw it during the match."
Holding his palm flat at the level of his forehead, Haiba continued.
"Too bad I can jump even higher."
Provoked by those words, Hinata jumped straight up on the spot. His head immediately slammed into the doorframe, and he crouched down clutching his head in pain.
"Then I just have to reach the peak before you do, right?"
Hearing Hinata say that, Haiba's competitive spirit was stirred as well.
"When we face each other tomorrow, I'll definitely be the first one to crack your quick attack. Because I'm Nekoma's ace."
By the end of that statement, Haiba's gaze had begun to wander.
"If I said that, Mōko-senpai would get really angry. He says someone who can't even play defense properly isn't qualified to call himself an ace."
"Aren't you a middle blocker like me? Normally, shouldn't the ace be a Wing Spiker?"
"What does position have to do with it? Whoever scores the most points is the ace. Anyway, I'm leaving. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow's match against you guys."
Haiba patted Hinata on the shoulder and walked off alone without waiting for a response.
"Whoever scores the most points is the ace..."
Hinata looked at his palm and muttered to himself.
After staying up all night, the players had recovered their energy. Following breakfast, they began a new day of training. Karasuno was scheduled for the second match, so everyone warmed up while waiting for the first match to end.
"Karasuno's strength has improved greatly since that newcomer joined."
Watching Hayato warm up, Nekoma High School's manager chatted with Coach Nekomata beside him.
"Indeed. Skills on par with an ace, composure, and that outstanding leadership. Karasuno picked up an incredible bird of prey. He hasn't reached his peak yet, but he's already a huge threat. Hehe, this year's Spring High will be interesting."
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